Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods # 1 2023 NM

Lazarus Planet: We Once Were Gods # 1, released on January 24, 2023, is a prestige-format anthology one-shot tie-in to DC’s Lazarus Planet event. The issue features four vignettes exploring how the Lazarus volcano eruption affects the most powerful, god-like beings and legendary locations in the DC Universe. 

Four Divine Vignettes 

The 48-page special contains stories focusing on transformation and ancient legacies: 

• "Hunger Pains" (Aquaman): A family in coastal New England finds strange individuals washed ashore after a Lazarus storm. One, resembling a depowered Aquaman, acts like a wild animal. It is eventually revealed that these are Trench creatures—originally a lost tribe of Atlanteans—transformed into human form by the Lazarus rain.
• "Songs of Pain" (Martian Manhunter): J'onn J'onzz encounters a newly empowered empath named Raphael Arce (first appearance) who is being influenced by the psychic remnants of Doomsday. Martian Manhunter attempts to save him from this overwhelming dark influence.
• "Song of the Dead" (Wonder Woman): Set on Themyscira, Queen Nubia and Diana face the resurrection of every invading army that ever attacked the island, now returned as vengeful revenants led by Theseus.
• "The Price of Eternity" (Shazam Family): Mary Bromfield and Malik White (heir to Black Adam) travel to the Rock of Eternity to rescue a captive Billy Batson. The Rock has been corrupted by Lazarus resin, and to free himself, Billy is forced to absorb the entire Rock of Eternity into his own body. 

Key Significance 

This issue is historically significant as the primary lead-in to the Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods miniseries. It also establishes the permanent removal of the Wizard Mamaragan from the Rock of Eternity following Billy's transformation.